As an aviation geek, I love trying business class on a new airline. I hadn’t tried Austrian Airlines before, and I was excited to check out the airline’s recently introduced business class on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner during my flight from New York-JFK to Vienna.

From the comfortable lie-flat seat to the delicious food, I really enjoyed the entire flight. Here’s what it was like flying Austrian Airlines business class on one of the carrier’s newest aircraft.

Austrian Airlines is the flag carrier of Austria, part of the Lufthansa Group and a member of Star Alliance. The airline operates a hub at Vienna International Airport and serves more than 120 destinations worldwide.

This flight was the transatlantic segment of my itinerary from New York City to Amsterdam, with a layover in Vienna.

The premium experience started before I boarded the plane thanks to priority check-in and lounge access.

The airport process was smooth. Austrian has a dedicated first and business class check-in area, so I didn’t need to wait in line to check my bags. I was able to check two large suitcases for free because of the generous baggage allowance. Business class passengers also receive lounge access, so after checking my bags, I headed straight to the lounge.

Before boarding, I enjoyed a quick dinner while watching the sunset and planes taxi across the tarmac.

This flight was on the Boeing 787-9, which features 26 business class seats arranged in a 1-2-1 herringbone configuration, giving every passenger direct aisle access.

Since I booked my flight relatively last-minute, the only available seats were in row 1 or one of the middle seats. When flying solo, I prefer a window seat, so I selected seat 1K in the first row of the cabin. The one downside was its proximity to the galley. Because flight attendants gathered in that area while preparing and serving meals, it wasn’t the quietest spot for an overnight flight.

The seat was comfortable in both upright and bed mode. Austrian provided a plush pillow and blanket, and despite the increased noise level, I fell asleep shortly after dinner and had no trouble sleeping for most of the flight.

The seat also had various small storage compartments, including the main one that housed the entertainment remote, a universal power outlet and a USB charging port, making it easy to keep devices charged throughout the flight. Seat adjustments were controlled through a touchscreen panel with preset positions for lounging, dining and sleeping.

Meal service began with a bread roll and a buffalo mozzarella salad served with figs and cherry tomatoes, followed by a carrot ginger soup. Despite the large drink selection, I chose water.

For my main course, I selected the roast beef with crispy onions, potatoes and string beans, which was delicious. I was so full from eating that I skipped dessert and went to sleep.

Before landing, breakfast was served. I chose sunny-side-up eggs and enjoyed them with orange juice and tea. The breakfast was really tasty and it was the perfect way to start the day since by the time we landed it was almost 11 a.m.

Service throughout the flight was attentive and professional. The flight attendants were friendly, efficient and responsive whenever passengers needed assistance.

During dinner service, we received cards to select our preferred breakfast options and indicate whether we wanted to be woken up. I selected the eggs but noted that I didn’t want to be disturbed if I was sleeping. When I woke up, breakfast service was almost over, but the flight attendants were still able to get me my meal, which was a really nice touch.

The entertainment system featured a large screen with a variety of movies, television shows and other programming. Austrian also provided noise-canceling headphones, which helped create a more comfortable experience. I didn’t take advantage of either since I went right to sleep after dinner.

The aircraft was equipped with Wi-Fi. Complimentary messaging through services such as iMessage and WhatsApp was included, while passengers who wanted full internet access could purchase a paid Wi-Fi package. I didn’t end up purchasing Wi-Fi since messaging was enough for me.

Business class passengers also received an amenity kit that included essentials such as a sleep mask, ear plugs, socks, a toothbrush and toothpaste tablets.

For travelers looking to cross the Atlantic comfortably, Austrian Airlines business class is a solid option.

The comfortable lie-flat seat made it easy to get meaningful sleep on an overnight flight, the food was excellent and the service was consistently attentive. Lounge access and priority airport services added value to the overall experience.

The biggest drawback of my experience was the location of seat 1K near the galley, which resulted in some extra noise during the flight. However, that was a relatively minor inconvenience compared with the overall comfort of the journey.

If you can book Austrian Airlines business class using points, especially during a transfer bonus like the one I used, it can be an excellent way to travel to Europe in comfort without paying cash for an expensive premium-cabin ticket.

(Top photo by Elina Geller)

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Mechanics need business insurance in case the unexpected happens. At minimum, garage owners should have:

Larger operations, mobile mechanics and shops that handle higher-risk work will likely need more coverage. Here are the policies to consider, plus where to start your search for them.

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BoundlessCash Small Business helps you get real-time quotes from 30+ insurers, and instant access to your Certificate of Insurance (COI) through our partner, Coverdash.

We reviewed the top carriers for companies that offer policies tailored for mechanics. BoundlessCash recommends comparing multiple quotes to find the best coverage at the best price.

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Mechanics and garage owners can likely find all the insurance they need at The Hartford. It offers business owner’s policies that combine general liability with property coverage, and garage keepers is available as an add-on. You can also get workers’ compensation and coverage for data breaches or faulty work.

Auto-Owners is only in 26 states. But if you work in one of them, consider its dedicated garage insurance program. It includes garage liability and garage keepers policies, as well as specialized options like mechanics errors and omissions. You can get workers’ comp, commercial property and more as well. Plus, Auto-Owners offers bundling discounts.

Credit rating company AM Best gives Auto-Owners its highest rating possible. It got far fewer complaints about its workers’ comp and commercial auto programs than we’d expect given its size. You’ll need to work with an agent to get coverage. (BoundlessCash has not written a full review of Auto-Owners business insurance.)

For an auto repair shop policy you can buy online in minutes, consider Ergo Next. The carrier has bundled mechanic policies in three coverage levels that include general liability and property coverage. The two higher levels include garage keepers and faulty work coverage.

A business owner’s policy from Nationwide includes equipment breakdown coverage, an uncommon feature. You can also buy garage keepers insurance. Together with a BOP or garage liability, this will cover any damage to your customers’ cars while in your care.

Few businesses face the number of unique risks auto repair shops do. Insurance pays when issues arise so your business doesn’t have to.

Business insurance can help cover costs for the following scenarios:

Garage liability insurance covers bodily injury and property damage to non-employees from your business operations. It also includes coverage for accidents involving customers’ vehicles while in your care. For instance, if a mechanic is moving or driving a customer’s car and causes property damage or injuries to a non-employee, garage liability pays.

A garage liability policy may also include faulty work coverage. Also known as completed-operations liability, this pays for property damage and injuries if you or an employee’s faulty work causes an accident.

Garage liability insurance only pays out to third parties, or non-employees. It doesn’t cover damage to your shop or injuries to your employees. It also excludes damage to your customers’ vehicles — for that, you’ll need garage keepers insurance.

Can mechanics opt for general liability insurance instead?

You may be able to address those issues with a customized general liability policy from some carriers. But whatever route you choose, your liability insurance should cover all of the following. If you’re not sure if a policy does, confirm with the insurer.

This policy covers damage to a customer’s vehicle while it’s in your care. It can come in three different versions for auto mechanics:

For example, all three policies cover vehicle damage that employees cause by test driving or moving customers’ cars on-site. But only direct policies pay for vandalism, hail or an overnight theft, and only a direct primary policy would guarantee payment.

A direct excess policy might not pay to repair damage to a customer’s car, or it may pay only the deductible. It would depend on whether the customer had comprehensive coverage on their personal auto policy.

However, policies typically exclude floods and earthquakes. Additionally, insurance only protects tools and equipment at your business property — mobile mechanics need a separate inland marine policy.

For example, say a grease fire burnt a hole in the side of your auto repair shop. It ruined all the nearby tools, melting their rubber grips into a workbench. Commercial property insurance pays for the repair to the wall and workbench, plus the cost to replace the tools. Business income insurance pays some of your bills and payroll while the shop’s being fixed.

Most states require workers’ compensation if you have employees. But this coverage is critical even if you’re a sole proprietor or mobile mechanic.

For example, say a tool falls from atop an engine while you’re underneath the vehicle. It hits you in the eye and causes a nasty gash on your forehead. Even if you’re self-employed, your health insurance would not cover this claim. But workers’ comp would, including costs for physical or occupational therapy and a portion of lost wages.

Save up to 30% on business insurance

BoundlessCash Small Business helps you get real-time quotes from 30+ insurers, and instant access to your Certificate of Insurance (COI) through our partner, Coverdash.

Insurance carriers often exclude services or otherwise limit the risk they will take on. Mechanics will typically need to purchase a separate policy or buy an endorsement to cover these gaps. Watch out for the following when insuring your auto repair business.

General liability policies cover property damage to non-employees — except when that property is a car you’re working on. If you store cars outdoors in your lot overnight, primary (not legal liability) garage keepers insurance pays out for theft, vandalism or storm damage costs. And if you want to ensure claims from this policy are fulfilled, you may need security measures in place, such as cameras and fencing with a locked gate.

Additionally, some garage and general liability policies for auto shops exclude off-premises operations. Make sure your policies don’t. Or get an endorsement if you work off the business property.

Standard property insurance only covers tools and equipment the business owns. If your shop is like many where mechanics buy and use their own tools, check on an endorsement for employee tool coverage. This way if there’s damage or theft, all the tools are replaced and you’re back in business sooner.

Risk management is usually a suite of services insurers offer a business to improve safety, reduce costs and limit insurance claims. These services can pay off for mechanic shops, given the profession’s high injury rate.

Examples of risk management services include:

If your shop is large, has high employee turnover or handles specialty vehicles, it’s worth asking carriers what services it includes.

Business insurance for mechanics can be relatively affordable, especially if you choose bundled or combined options like a business owner’s policy. Here are some median annual costs for select mechanics policies, according to data shared with BoundlessCash by online brokerage Coverdash:

For example, a towing company with eight trucks and twelve employees that frequently crosses state lines will have higher costs than a sole proprietor. The best way to get a good deal is to compare quotes from multiple companies before you buy your policies.

Follow these steps to assess your risk and compare multiple quotes for the policies your auto repair business needs.

At minimum, you’ll need:

You’ll need workers’ comp if you have employees, but you should also consider it if you’re a sole proprietor. Add commercial auto if you operate vehicles or are a mobile mechanic and specialty endorsements based on your work.

Then, gather all the documentation related to those risks and your business. In addition to business details like address, payroll, revenue and time in operation, you’ll need business vehicle information.

Employers need their federal employer identification number, while sole proprietors need their Social Security number.

To compare multiple policies, there are three common options.

This step is very important for auto repair business owners. Read all policy language for:

Revisit coverage if you add bays, hire employees, open a second location or take on contracts that require higher limits. Outside of that, review your policies annually to ensure they still cover your business fully.

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